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 circumstances. For many years the Editor has been in the habit of making such additions to his copy of the as came under his notice merely for his own use; but meeting with a remark of the Rev. Dr. Maitland, in his proposal for establishing "a church history publishing society," that a new edition of Le Neve was much required, and that it would be a fit work for such a society to undertake, the Editor put his notes in order, for the purpose of offering them to that society, if it ever should be formed. Unfortunately, however, for that department in literature, a sufficient number of spirited wellwishers to such a society was not to be found, and Dr. Maitland's proposition fell to the ground. Speaking afterwards on the subject of a new edition of the "" to several publishers, they all admitted the want of such a work, but were afraid to run the risk of its publication, under the apprehension that it would take many years to dispose of an edition large enough to cover the expenses attendant on its production. One gentleman among them however suggested, that a new edition would be a proper work to be brought out by the Delegates of the Press of the University of Oxford; accordingly he put the Editor in communication with one of the Delegates, who brought the project before his fellows, and this ended in their agreeing to undertake the work.

It is necessary to say a few words upon the materials used in the present edition.

From the mission of Augustine A.D. 597 to the commencement of the reign of John in 1199 the Editor has taken Le Neve as his basis, but instead of resting upon the authorities he cites, such as Battely's edition